Electric-arc lamp.



PATENTED AUG. 22, 1905.

13. A. STOWE. ELECTRIC ARC LAMP.

APPLIOATION FILED MAYZS, 1904.

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N0. 797,629. PATENTED AUG. 22, 1905. B. A. STOWE.

ELECTRIC ARG LAMP.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 25, 1904.

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NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BERNARD A. STOlVE, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE JANDUS ELECTRICCOMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

ELECTRIC-ARC LAMP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 22, 1905.

Application filed May 25, 1904:- Serial No. 209,658-

); (1.17. 1071 0727 it many (:OI'I/(BIHWI/I Be it known that I, BERNARDA. S'rowE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Cleveland,county of Cuyahoga, and State of Ohio, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Arc-Lamps, of which the following is a specification, theprinciple of the invention being herein explained and the best mode inwhich I have contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguishit from other inventions.

My invention relates to inclosed arc-lamps, and particularly to themeans embodied therein which affect the consumption of the carbons andthe chemical and physical action of the gases within the arc-chamber.

One object of the invention is to effect a minimum consumption of carbonper unit of time, and a further object is to regulate and control theinterchange of gases between the arc-chamber and the atmosphere, so asto maintain a practically uniform mixture of the gases contained in thearc-chamber, thereby effecting a steady and uniform burning at the arc.

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detailcertain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed meansconstituting but one of various mechanical forms in which the principleof the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawings, Figure 1 represents a vertical axial sectionof a portion of an inclosed arc-lamp embodying my invention, portions ofthe lamp out by the plane of section being shown in elevation. Fig. 2represents a vertical axial section of such lamp portion, similar tothat shown in Fig. 1, but taken upon a plane at right angles to theplane of section of said Fig. 1. Fig. 3 represents a broken plan of thatpart of the lamp structure which I designate by the termexpansiomchamber member, showing also the top ring of the arc-chamberconnected therewith. Fig. 4 represents a bottom plan of said member.Fig. 5 represents a diagrammatic view of the means for regulating andcontrolling the interchange of gases previously referred to, and Fig. 6represents a section of a part of a modified form of lamp embodyingcertain features of my invention.

Said invention is embodied in a structure E, hereinbei'ore referred toas an expansioncham ber member, together with certain other elementshereinafter described. Said structure consists of an upright member orbody portion 6 formed with a laterally-projecting upper flange c and alower laterally-projecting flange a. The upper flange (a is secured tothe floor-plate D and forms the connecting mechanical supporting mediumbetween the center tube D and the lower portion of the lamp. The saidexpansion-chamber member is insulated from the floor-plate and from aring F, to which the globe G is directly attached bymeans of mica sheets(Z and cl and insulating-bushings (Z d, surrounding the fastening-screws(Z cl", as will be readily understood. Ring F is provided with aflangef, to the lower surface of which the glass globe (:r is secured bymeans of the rods r g in the usual manner. To the barrel or body portionof the said ring F is secured the yokef, which supports the negativecarbon, as will 'be also readily understood. The interior of the ringisformed with a shoulder f upon which is seated a porcelain disk H,forming the dome of the arc-cham her. This disk is provided with acentral opening 71/, which registers with o iienings d and 0, formed inthe mica sheets d and flange 0', respectively, said openings 71., d",and 6 together forming a channel for receiving the positive carbon C.Opening a is of a diameter as small asit is possible to make it andstill allow the carbon to move through it freely, and intermediately ofits ends is a groove 0, which forms a check against the passage of gaseswhich may tend to pass through the aperture from within or without. Theapertures d and it are made of equal diameter and markedly larger thanthe diameter of the carbon, so that gasmay pass freely through samearound the carbon.

lntersecting the lower plane surface of flange c are two concentricgrooves and c, joining each other and of comparatively smallcross-sectional area. The inner end of groove 0" opens into a centralgroove or chamber 6 surrounding the carbon, and hence communi cates withopenings d" and lb, and so with the arc-chamber. These grooves and thecentral chamber 0 excepting as noted, are closed at the bottom by themica sheets and form an attenuated duct for the passage of gases. Theouter end of groove (2 communicates with the end duct 6 of a series ofconnected ducts including in addition to a similar ducts c" and 0 thelatter communicating with the atmosphere through the medium of anaperture a of constricted diameter, Figs. 1, 8, and 4, shown in dottedlines. These ducts 0 a", and e are most conveniently formed by boringperpendicularly through the body of the expansion-chamber member andthen connecting ducts e and a at the top with a groove 6 and ducts e and0 with a groove e Duct 0 communicates with the atmosphere through themedium of a constricted Opening a. The mica sheets (Z and cl close thesegrooves e and e to form ducts. The cross-sectional area of ducts a e,and e is made markedly greater than that of the attenuated duct formedby grooves e and e, and they form a chamber intermediate of the saidattenuated duct and outer atmosphere which will contain a requiredvolume of gas, as will hereinafter appear, the attenuated duct andchamber together forming a continuous elongated duct, asdiagrammatically shown in Fig. 5. The chamber formed by ducts a e, and 0I shall hereinafter refer to as the expansion and difiusion chamber,and, as previously noted, it is interposed between the attenuated ductand the atmosphere. The volume of said expansion and difiusion chamberand attenuated duct combined is made such that it will be greater thanthe difference between the volume of the gaseous contents of thearc-chamber at a given temperature and pressure and the volume of suchsame gaseous contents at a given pressure and the maximum temperatureimparted to it during the lamps opera tion.

Let it be assumed that the arc-chamber is filled with gases at a normalor atmospheric degree of temperature and that the arc has just beenestablished, Hence such gases soon become highly heated and expand. Acertain amount of such expanded gas will hence seek outlet from thearc-chamber. and such outlet it readily finds in the openings h and CFsurroundingthecarbon. Through theseopenings it finds its way intochamber 6 The opening (2 together with the gas-checking groove 6, offersa resistance to its passage therethrough, such as in the presence of theeasy path offered by the attenuated duct, the passage formed by thegrooves e and a, and the expansion and diffusion chamber, to allowsubstantially no efliux of such expanded gas therethrough. Said gas willhence pass into said duct and passage and push out before it theatmospheric air or other gases contained therein until the entire ductand expansion and diffusion chamber is filled therewith. The temperaturecondition surrounding the operating-lamp and the character of thearcchamber gases thus reach a state which may be considered broadlyconstant, but vary actually between a maximum and minimum oftemperature, and hence a maximum and minimum of density, of said gases.In the lamp constructions heretofore used these changes I have foundproduce marked and deleterious effects upon the economical operation ofthe lamp, among which are principally found imv perfect and uneconomicalconsumption of the carbon, due to direct admission of atmospheric airand consequent admission of excess of oxygen. By means of myabove-described construction such results are prevented in the followingmanner: Assuming that the conditions have reached a state of generalconstancy previously referred to, in which the temperature variesbetween certain limits and that at a given instant the gases are attheir minimum temperature, a rise in temperatureresulting fromvaryingconditions at the arc will now be followed by expansion of thegases and a consequent expulsion of part of the gases from the expansionand diffusion chamber. and a fall from such increased temperature willefiect an influx of air from the exterior into such chamber. Such actionconstitutes what is ordinarily referred to as the breathing of the lamp.Now by causing the combined volume of the attenuated duct and theexpansion and diffusion chamber to be greater than the differencebetween the volume of the gases contained in the arc-chamber at suchabove-mentioned minimum temperature and the volume of such gases at themaximum temperature attained during the operation of the lamp it will beseen that at no time will atmospheric air be admitted directly into thearc-chamber as a result of such breathing. The attenuated form of thepassage through which the gases are exhaled and inhaled keeps a certainvolume of arc-chamber gases interposed between the arc-chamber andatmosphere. The required amount of oxygen is, however, permitted toreach the arc-chamber by diffusion through such interposed volume ofgases, the length and volume of the attenuated duct and of the expansionand diffusion chamber being designed so as to permit of the introductionof the proper amount of oxygen by such method. The expansion anddiffusion chamber has also another and very important fllTlC' tion.Being interposed between the attenuated duct and the constricted openinginto the atmosphere and being of larger cross-sectional area than saidduct, the gases contained within it act as a cushion to prevent thesudden expulsion of gases from the duct. It is well known that at times,owing to various causes, the gases in the arc-chamber suddenly expandand must find a vent. Were it not for the expansion-chamber the gaseswould be expelled through the duct into the air, and this action wouldbe followed by the inhalation of air, and hence of oxygen, disturbingthe uniform conditions of gas mixture required in the arc-chamber. Underthese conditions the expansion and diffusion chamber acts as a cushionor damper to prevent the sudden expulsion or flushing of the gases fromthe attenuated duct and in this manner greatly assists in themaintenance of uniform gas-mixture conditions in the arc-chamber.

Fig. 6 shows opening it into arc-chamber independent of the space aroundcarbon. This arrangement, while a good one, tends to set up a localcirculation of air downward along the carbon into the arc'chamber andthence through the independent opening into the duct to the atmosphere.This local circulation results from the heated rising column of air inthe expansion-chamber. I therefore prefer to adopt the form ofconstruction shown in Fig. 1, which shows the outlet from thearc-chamber around the carbon, as previously described.

()ther modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employedinstead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanismherein disclosed provided the means stated by any one of the followingclaims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and dis tinctly claim as myinvention- 1. In an arclamp, the combination with an inclosure formingan arc-chamber, of a member connected therewith embodying an elongatedduct and including a chamber of enlarged cross-sectional area and anelongated attenuated portion, said d not estahlishingcommunicationbetween said arc-chamber and the atmosphere, and said chamber providedwith an outlet of constricted cross-sectional area communicating withthe atmosphere.

2. In an arc-lamp, the combination with an inclosure forming anarc-chamber, of means connected therewith embodying an elongated duetestablishing communication between the arc-chamber and the atmosphere,said duct including an elongated attenuated portion and a portion ofenlarged cross-sectional area, said latter portion communicatingdirectly with the atmosphere.

3. In an are-lamp, the combination with an inclosure forming anarc-chamber, of a member connected therewith formed with a passage foradmitting a carbon and provided with an elongated duct establishingcommunication with the atmosphere and communicating with the interior ofsaid arc-chamber through the medium of said passage, that portion of thelatter connecting said chamber with said duct forming an openingimmediately around the carbon which will afford a comparatively freepassage for gases therethrough.

I. In an arc-lamp, the combination with an inclosed arc-chamber, of amember connected therewith embodying a horizontal or flanged portion anda body portion, said flanged portion provided with an attenuated ductcommunicating with the said arc-chamber; said body portion provided witha series'of ducts forming a chamber of enlarged cross-sectional area,one end of said chamber communicating attenuated duct.

5. In an arc-lamp, the combination with an inclosed arc-chamber, of amember connected therewith embodying a flanged portion and an uprightbody portion, said. flanged portion provided with a grooved lowersurface forming an attenuated duct communicating with said arc-chamber;said body portion provided with a chamber of enlarged cross-sectionalarea connected. with said attenuated duct and com municating with theatmosphere.

6. In an arc-lamp, the combination with an inclosed arc-chamber, of amember connected therewith em bodying a flanged portion and a bodyportion, said flanged portion provided with an attenuated ductcommunicating with the said arc-chamber; said body portion provided withachamber of a cross-sectional area greater than that of said attenuatedduct, connected at one end with the latter and communicating with theatmosphere through the medium of a restricted opening.

7 In an arc-lamp, the combination with an inclosed arc-chamber, of amember connected therewith embodying a flanged portion formed with anumberof grooves arranged in convo-' lutions and connected with eachother; and a body portion .formed with a plurality of d ucts of across-sectional area greater than that of said attenuated duct; saidducts of greater cross-sectional area connected in series to form achamber, one end of such chamber connected with said attenuated duct andthe other end connected with the atmosphere through the medium of aconstricted opening.

8. In an arc-lamp, the combination of a globe-support, a member securedthereto and provided with a grooved under surface, insulating materialinterposed between such surface and said support; said grooved memberhaving an opening for admitting a carbon and connected with a groovedportion of said member, and a member forming the dome of the arc-chamberand provided with an opening registering with and of greater diameterthan said carbon-opening.

9. In an arc-lamp, the combination of a globe-support, a member securedthereto and provided with a central opening for receiving a carbon andwith an elongated passage communicating therewith, a member forming thedome of the are-chamber and formed with a central opening, forming, inconjunction with said first-named central opening, a continuous passagefor receiving the carbon, the opening in said dome member forn'ling aspace surrounding the carbon free from obstruction to the natural flowof gas.

10. In an arc-lamp, the combination of an inclosure forming anarc-chamber, a member provided with a duct connecting same with theatmosphere, and a member forming the dome of the chamber. 'such domemember being provided with an opening of markedly greater diameter thanthat of and traversed by the upper lam p-carbon, said opening formingthe connection between said duct and said chamber.

11. In an arc-lamp, the combination of a globe-supporting structure, aglobe secured thereto and forming an inclosed arc-chamber, saidstructure formed with a carbon-opening having its inner end of adiameter such as to form a passage immediately surrounding the carbonallowing a comparatively free flow of gases therethrongh, said structurebeing also provided with an elongated duct including a portion ofenlarged cross-sectional area, and having its inner end directlyconnected with said passage, its outer end being connected with theatmosphere, the outer end portion of said opening being provided with agascheck for obstructing the flow of gas thereth r0 n gh.

12. In an arc-lamp, the combination with an inclosure forming anarc-chamber, of means connected therewith provided with a passage forreceiving a lamp-carbon, and connecting the interior of said inclosurewith the exterior thereof, the outer end portion of said passage beingof a diameter such as to obstruct the passage of gas past the carbonlocated therein, the inner end portion of the said passage being of amarkedly greater diameter than that of the carbon so as to form a spaceimmediately surrounding the carbon such as will allow a free flow ofgases therethrough; said means further formed with a duct directlyconnected with such space and connecting the latter with the atmosphere.

13. An arc-lamp having an inclosed arcchamber, such chamber beingconnected with an elongated duct consisting of a single elongatedattenuated portion, and a single portion of enlarged crosssectionalarea, the latter communicating directly with the atmosphereby means of aconstricted opening.

Signed by me this 12th day of May, 1904:.

BERNARD A. STOYVE. Attest:

A. E. MERKEL, HENRY J. Voe'r.

